I finally moved my RS 3D (R4FA0) from the shed into its new vault.
I had previously test wifi comms from this location with a spare R Pi, and by the looks of the report from ifconfig the comms look OK.
Below are the log files:
RSH.R4FA0.2025-03-03T06_42_16.logs.tar (2.0 MB)
The Shake is powered by solar and battery with wifi comms.
Thanks,
Al.
Hello sheeny,
Thanks for the usual logs/screenshots.
Yes, as you have noticed in your “rs.local/” page, the Shake remains in a BOOTING status while it manages to find an internet connection, so the WiFi configuration should be ok:
2025 062 06:32:57: We have an internet connection
2025 062 06:32:57: We have NTP services
The main issue is that the Pi cannot see the Shake board above it:
2025 062 06:34:01: Unable to read Firmware version number off of Serial Port /dev/serial0 after trying for 15 seconds, cannot continue!
2025 062 06:34:01: Is the Pi computer connected to the Raspberry Shake Board? Please confirm and try again.
I would verify the outdoor vault power supply first (if you haven’t already done it). In some instances, a lack of power can stop the booting procedure from going forward and generate such errors.
Probably the quickest way to do so would be to use an extension cord from one of the house wall sockets and see if, with that, the Shake completes the booting procedure or not.
If not, then it is possible that (for some reason) the microSD card got corrupted, so a quick re-burn could solve the current problem, as it sometimes has in the past.
Thanks Stormchaser.
I’m using a 5V buck convertor to step the voltage down from 12V to 5V. I tested it on a Raspberry Pi successfully.
I have a nagging feeling in the back of my head that I’ve read the Shake needs 5.1V - is that correct?
The vault is over a hundred metres from any power, but I guess I could run a generator for the test.
If 5.1V is required, I would have to source another (adjustable) buck convertor and tune it to 5.1V.
Looks like we have bad weather on the way so that might impact my ability to do the tests.
Al.
Yes, you remember well.
All Shakes should receive 5.1V with at least 2.5A (or 3.0A if using a Pi 4). If one of the two is below these thresholds, it could explain why the Shake is not completing the booting procedure.
If the generator test makes the Shake work, then yes, I think you’ll need to make that converter adjustment.
Thanks Stormchaser. My mistake.
Probably the easiest to do is to move the shake back to the shed while I get a more appropriate buck convertor.
Al.
No trouble at all sheeny.
I hope you’ll manage to find another converter easily!
Just for future reference, I moved the Shake back to the shed and it all came back up online OK, so it looks pretty certain its not enough voltage for the Shake. So sourcing a different buck convertor now. ;o)
Al.
OK, today was the day. I got the new buck convertor, set up and tested at 5.13V output. It’s a 60W buck convertor so shouldn’t have any issues delivering the current and the volts should be right.
Moved R4FA0 back into the vault, and so far the same thing… I can talk to it via Putty but not coming back online.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Al.
RSH.R4FA0.2025-03-15T00_50_01.logs.tar (2.1 MB)
How tolerant is the shake to over voltage?
The buck convertor is adjustable in 0.3V steps via DIP switches. If 5.13V isn’t cutting it I could try 5.4V.
Al.
Hello sheeny,
Starting from last, we don’t recommend going aboive 5.2V, otherwise there could be damage to the electronics of the Shake. Can you check if the converter is delivering at least 2.5A?
This because the Shake is stuck in BOOTING, with Producer and Consumer still OFF, and usually this can mean that there is insufficient power supply arriving to the equipment. The logs (thanks as usual!) show that
2025 074 00:04:40: Is the Pi computer connected to the Raspberry Shake Board? Please confirm and try again.
and this sometimes happens when there is not enough power available.
It lives!
I don’t have the gear to test for current insitu, but the problem could only be the cable from the buck convertor to the shake, so I made a new one (using a different brand micro B USB cable) and its away.
Thanks again for your help Stormchaser!
Al.
Great to hear that sheeny, it’s always a step-by-step process in the end.
Always welcome!